Replacing Pump

[ttgivencej]

Hello,

I have a 27,000 in-ground, 15 years old, original pump. Pump is 60 feet from skimmer, no bottom drain, 2 ports back into the pool. Hayward Superpump 230V 1-1/6 HP 2 speed. I run it at hi for 8 hours and low speed for 16 hours. My pressure typically runs 7 lbs. since it was installed.

Pump works fine, no bearing noise and continues to run around 7 lbs.

Situation is that the motor is overheating and shutting down after 1 hour at high speed. It can run at low speed all day with no problem.

With a 15 year old pump, it is not worth it to get it fixed.

I talked to my local pool store and he recommends replacing it with the SuperPump single speed 1-HP 230V.

So my question is, should I replace it with a higher HP motor? I was thinking 1-1/2 HP. Other pools I visit seem to run around 15 lbs. Or go with the 1 HP unit?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

JV

[CarlD]

More HP doesn't result in more cleaning--it results in more stress on your filter, possible damage to it, and loss of filtering effectiveness. Yet pool equipment providers like to push HP because, as car buyers, we think "more" is better.

Before you buy, I'd like Poconos or one of the pool professionals to see this. Your fix to your pump may be cheaper and easier than you think, but I'm not the one who is expert on it. It may be as simple as a new bearing, or new brushes and a cleaned-up armature, or even a lubrication issue. You may even be able to replace just the motor and continue to use the pump.

Still, if you go for new, why would you replace a 2 speed Superpump with a 1 speed? All it will do is waste electricity and reduce your options. Hayward's Superpump line includes a 2 speed 1 hp unit--mine has been running for 8 years now and runs mostly on low speed.

Just my thoughts.

[Poconos]

Hi JV,
First comment is why change something that has been working. By that I mean change the specs. I agree with Carl to stay with a 2-speed. On the overheating issue I wouldn't be surprised if it's something as simple as blocked air passages. The fact it runs for an hour before shutting down says it probably isn't something catastrophic. Usually the air flow is from the front vents near the pump chamber to the rear vents. Have a good blast of air coming out there? If not I'd take off the back cover and get in there with high pressure air to try and blow out the passages. Some bugs like to build mud homes in things like electrical outlets and could be they built in your motor. If it is mud housing it may be more difficult to clean out. Check the airflow first and we'll go from there.
Al

[CarlD]

Hey! Al may just save you several hundred bucks!

[ttgivencej]

Thanks for the suggestions. The pump runs very quiet and smooth, so I don't think it is mechanical. It is probably lack of air circulation. I don't feel any air coming out the bottom back fins, probably something blocking the air flow. Next weekend I'll take it apart to try to clear it out.

Thanks.
JV

[Searcher]

Hello,

I have a 27,000 in-ground, 15 years old, original pump. Pump is 60 feet from skimmer, no bottom drain, 2 ports back into the pool. Hayward Superpump 230V 1-1/6 HP 2 speed. I run it at hi for 8 hours and low speed for 16 hours. My pressure typically runs 7 lbs. since it was installed.

Pump works fine, no bearing noise and continues to run around 7 lbs.

Situation is that the motor is overheating and shutting down after 1 hour at high speed. It can run at low speed all day with no problem.

JV

I have the same setup except I have a main drain and two skimmers. I run the pump on low 24/7 and only hit high to back wash and rinse. Do check for air flow issues but why run at high at all would be my main question?

As for the motor and 15 years old, I had mine rebuilt after 18 years service in 2005.

If I had to do it again, I would replace the motor with the exact motor I now have. When I decided to do the rebuild, I could not find any replacement motors that were 1 HP and 1/6th HP. They were all 1 HP and 1/2 HP. Of late the "good" motors can be found at many sites.